I was supposed to go back and delete that video.
Why hadn’t I deleted it?
I was supposed to make the video but not post it. What kind of idiot would record themselves in a drunken stupor?
An idiot in a drunken stupor, that’s who.
I fell backward on the bed with a groan.
“Ma’am?”
“Uh, no. I mean I can’t come on your show this morning. I’m, um, heading out the door now.”
Why had I said that? Because Mom had always taught me to keep my options open. If I had a dollar for every time Mom had said, “Hard to sell a house if you’ve already closed the door.”
Whatever that meant.
“So maybe tomorrow—”
“Maybe tomorrow.”
“Is this your best contact number?”
“Yes.”
“Can I call you around eleven to firm up the details?”
This lady was pushy. Polite but pushy. “Noon would be better.” Assuming I wasn’t in a witness protection program somewhere. “I think I need to hang up now.”
And I did just that before I could do any more damage.
The phone immediately buzzed again with a text from Suja:Ms. Viv, are you coming?
I answered withYepand rammed the phone into my pocket only to have the blasted thing go off again. I hesitated, neither reaching for the phone nor heading for the door. I should ignore it.
But I took out the phone anyway and sighed in relief at the sight of Dylan’s name. I cleared my throat and put on my best Mom voice before answering.
“Good morning, Buddy Bear.”
“Mom, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“The video. It’s all over the place.”
That’s it. I’m going to have to dig a hole in the backyard and bury myself. There’s no other answer.
Alas, I didn’t have a shovel. I had a trowel, but that would be such slow going. Better to stab myself with the trowel and hope the vultures took care of the rest.
“I’m so sorry, Dylan. I meant to delete that. Not my finest moment.”
“I’ll say.”
“Look, kid. I’m sorry if I embarrassed you, but—”
“Embarrass me? Mom, you’ve embarrassed yourself.”
The anger in his voice reminded me entirely too much of his father.
